Smeaton's Tower was originally constructed 14 miles out at sea in 1759 before being dismantled and moved to the Hoe in 1884.
The Royal Citadel was built in the 1660s to defend the coast and intimidate a potentially rebellious local population after the English Civil War.
Sir Francis Drake is said to have finished his game of bowls on the Hoe before departing to defeat the Spanish Armada in 1588.
The Plymouth Naval Memorial on the Hoe commemorates over 7,000 personnel who died in the First and Second World Wars with no known grave.
The Hoe acts as a natural grandstand for the annual British Firework Championships held in August.
Plymouth Hoe is a historic public park situated on a limestone cliff overlooking Plymouth Sound. The site is anchored by Smeaton’s Tower, a iconic red-and-white striped lighthouse relocated from the Eddystone Rocks in the 1880s. The park hosts the Royal Citadel, a 17th-century fortification still occupied by the British Army. Numerous monuments are dispersed throughout the grounds, including the Sir Francis Drake statue and the Plymouth Naval Memorial. The expansive grassy promenade provides panoramic views of the English Channel and the departure point for cross-channel ferries. Large-scale public events and concerts are frequently staged on the central event lawn. The park connects the city center directly to the historic Barbican waterfront district.
The base of Smeaton's Tower with the lighthouse and sea in the frame.
Wear sturdy walking shoes if planning to descend the cliff paths to the Tinside Lido.
Bring a windbreaker, as the coastal exposure creates significant gusts even on sunny days.
Check the local event calendar before visiting, as large festivals can restrict access to parts of the lawn.
Do not mistake the grass areas for standard park lawns during major event setups, as sections may be fenced off.
The park remains open year-round, though internal access to the lighthouse is seasonal.
